Dragon NaturallySpeaking Basic Guide
Purchase and download the software from the official Nuance Communications website: Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
Run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
After installation, you will be prompted to create a user profile and calibrate your microphone.
Dragon requires a high-quality microphone for accurate speech recognition.
Follow the setup wizard to configure your microphone.
Read the text displayed during setup aloud to calibrate the software for your voice.
During the first setup, Dragon will prompt you to create a User Profile:
Enter your name and select your accent and microphone type.
Dragon will ask you to read a passage aloud. This helps the software adapt to your voice and pronunciation.
Save the profile once the setup is complete.
Dragon allows you to perform a wide range of tasks using voice commands. Here are some of the most common commands:
Opening Applications:
Say "Open" followed by the name of the application. For example, "Open Microsoft Word."
Dictating Text:
Simply start speaking, and Dragon will transcribe your speech into text.
Editing Text:
"Select [word or phrase]": Selects the specified word or phrase for editing.
"Correct [word or phrase]": Opens a correction menu with suggestions.
"Go to end of line": Moves the cursor to the end of the current line.
"Delete that": Deletes the last word or selection.
Formatting Text:
"Bold that": Bolds the selected text.
"Italicize that": Italicizes the selected text.
"Underline that": Underlines the selected text.
Navigating the Web:
"Search the web for [term]": Opens your web browser and searches for the specified term.
"Click [link name]": Clicks on a specified link by voice in a web browser.
Saving Documents:
"Save that": Saves the current document.
"Close document": Closes the current document.
If Dragon makes an error in transcription, you can correct it using voice commands or manually.
Voice Correction:
Say "Correct [word or phrase]."
Dragon will present a list of alternative suggestions. You can choose one by saying its corresponding number.
If none of the options are correct, you can manually type the correct word or phrase.
Manual Correction:
You can also use your keyboard to correct errors. Dragon will learn from these corrections and improve over time.
To improve Dragon’s accuracy, you can complete additional voice training sessions:
Open DragonBar (the control panel for Dragon NaturallySpeaking).
Select Help > Improve My Accuracy.
Follow the instructions to read additional training texts.
Dragon allows you to add custom words and phrases to improve its recognition of industry-specific terms, names, or jargon.
Adding Words:
Open DragonBar and select Vocabulary > Add New Word or Phrase.
Enter the new word or phrase and provide an optional spoken form (how you say it).
Save the new entry.
The DragonBar is the control panel for Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Here are some key options:
Microphone Button: Turns the microphone on or off.
Profile: Allows you to manage your user profiles.
Vocabulary: Provides tools for managing your vocabulary, including adding new words.
Help: Accesses tutorials, guides, and training materials.
Speak clearly: Speak at a natural pace for the best recognition accuracy.
Use a high-quality microphone: A good microphone significantly improves Dragon’s ability to understand you.
Take breaks: Prolonged dictation can be tiring. Use Dragon’s voice commands to navigate and control your computer without excessive typing.
Custom Commands: You can create custom voice commands to automate repetitive tasks.
Text-to-Speech: Dragon can also read text aloud using built-in text-to-speech technology.
Dictation Box: For applications that may not work well with Dragon, you can dictate into the Dictation Box and then transfer the text to the desired application.
Dragon also offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing you to dictate on the go and sync your work across devices.
Dragon Help Center: Dragon Support and Training
Dragon Video Tutorial: Getting Started with Dragon NaturallySpeaking